I was doing some photography for an assignment at Polytech, today, when I came across some very healthy Swanplants. Just to make it even better, there was a healthy 5th instar Monarch caterpillar on one of the swanplants.
I've not seen caterpillars on the swanplants, this early before, so I'm quite interested in why it's happening.
During our Winters, we understand the butterflies go into a state called 'diapause'. During this time they slow their systems right down. They feed, they find sun to keep warm in, but they don't mate.
Clearly some of the butterflies have mated and laid eggs, during Winter.